# The surprising science of alpha males

- Institution: TED
- Department: TEDMED 2017
- Speaker: Frans de Waal
- Year: 2017
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Subjects: Biology, Society and politics, Languages and linguistics
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/frans_de_waal_the_surprising_science_of_alpha_males)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

In this fascinating look at the "alpha male," primatologist Frans de Waal explores the privileges and costs of power while drawing surprising parallels between how humans and primates choose their leaders. His research reveals some of the unexpected capacities of alpha males -- generosity, empathy, even peacekeeping -- and sheds light on the power struggles of human politicians. "Someone who is big and strong and intimidates and insults everyone is not necessarily an alpha male," de Waal says.

## Lectures

1. [The surprising science of alpha males](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/frans_de_waal_the_surprising_science_of_alpha_males/a88744a29037), 16 min (TED's player)